The PrepPen was designed for auto body shops needing to spot-sand a vehicle or for chipped paint repairs, but the PrepPen is also perfect for cleaning component leads or wire before soldering. The glass fibers break off into a fine dust when it is used, but in the process, the fibers remove oxidation.

Fig. 1: The PrepPen does a quick job on corrosion.

Fig. 2: Tarnish on this coin disappears after using the PrepPen.

To use it, put the item to be cleaned on a paper towel or a sheet of paper. When finished, wipe the surface with a paper towel and wash your hands.

Fig. 1 shows Lew using the PrepPen on a 1/8 W resistor and a piece of copper wire. Fig. 2 shows how the PrepPen removed tarnish from a coin.

Lew could not find them at chain car part stores, although auto body shops use them. He finally ordered them online from www.handsontools.com. Enter “PMC3437” in the keyword search.

The PrepPen is manufactured by Pro Motorcar. At under $5 it won’t break the budget, and Lew suggests ordering refills, as the PrepPen will probably get a lot of use. He keeps one on the bench, one in the toolkit and one in the home shop. They also make a great giveaway for friends.

A few years ago, Lew was working for NASA. He attended a high-reliability hand soldering course. And 80 hours later, Lew knew how to solder! In the course, they used the pencil-type typing erasers for soldering prep — remember them?

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If you search the web for information on Cramolin, an amazing contact cleaner and restorative sold in the 1970s and ’80s, you’ll find the product is no longer available in the U.S. Urban legend has it that the product did not meet EPA regulations and was discontinued.

Planning a studio overhaul? John recommends “Acoustics 101: Practical Guidelines for Constructing Accurate Acoustical Spaces.” Open or download this 52-page PDF by clicking on the “Acoustics 101” link in the top banner ribbon of the Auralex website.

This is the time of year to protect transmitter buildings and AM antenna tuning or coupling units from infestation by rodents. Pests can cause no end of engineering nightmares. And it's just not buildings.